Zel sat on his bed, staring down at his hands. His life felt like it couldn't get any worse than what it was at that moment. He closed his eyes as he thought about that disastrous dinner downstairs. He didn't know what irked him more, the fact that they weren't listening, or the fact that they decided what they were going to do whether he liked it or not.
She's going to get the Claire Bible for herself, I know she is...
Gourry hadn't said anything, which Zel wasn't sure how to take. On one end, he was glad the blond hadn't tried to talk past a mouth full of food. On the other...
Quit it.
And it went downhill from there. Amelia's blinding stupidity at how cool he looked... Yeah right Lina's unwarranted teasing, no matter how true it was... the embarrassing trip on the stairs... And in front of... quit that! Zel just wanted to go to sleep and forget everything since he came to Zoana. Maybe if he tried, he can pretend it was all a bad nightmare. If he was really lucky, Lina will have grabbed the others and gone off looking for the bible herself. Not that he wanted her to have it, but he wasn't sure... no, he was sure... he didn't want their company. At least, not all of them.
Damn. Leave it to me to go lusting after the impossible. Get a clue, Greywers. He likes Lina, who you can't stand of one good reason and another. It's amazing how someone so self-centered can be so well liked by people. Gourry, Amelia, Phil... does the list never end?
With a groan, Zel flopped back on the bed. Sleep might make things look better in the morning...
It's in the air we breathe tonight
Love will lead us, she will lead us
I knew it!
From the minute the first blast woke him up and had him grabbing his sword, Zel knew who and what it was. He threw his clothes on quickly and ran out, almost running into a still half sleep Amelia. He growled one word at her, letting it explain everything.
"Lina."
Not waiting for a response, he ran to Gourry's room, knowing the swordsman would still be asleep. He didn't bother knocking, but just walked in and grabbed Gourry's clothes, throwing them on top before shaking the man by the shoulders.
"Huh...? Wha...?"
The next blast woke Gourry up completely. He sat up and looked at Zel. Zel noted with equal parts bemusement and surprise that Gourry seemed to know who had caused it.
"Lina again."
"Looks that way. Come on, let's see what the deal is now." Though i think I know...
Gourry was dressed in a minute and soon all three were running in the direction of the blasts.
Life is like a shooting star
It don't matter who you are
If you only run for cover
(Just a waste of time)
Okay, knowing is one thing, and Knowing is another.
That... that... that bitch.
Zel couldn't even say anything to her, he was so mad. Her coyness didn't help anything either. If Gourry hadn't been there, Zel was sure he would have tried to strangle the redhead right there on the spot.
"It was the Claire Bible. I was only looking for some information on the Claire Bible."
Bitch!
Here he is, trying to find a cure for his curse, and she wants more power. She has everything, and she still wants more. Hell, the only thing Lina Inverse should ever want as far as he was concerned was a bigger bust size.
Bitchbitchbitchbitchbitch...
And of course, Amelia's painful naivete shows Lina's true colors for all of them to see.
"Miss Lina, you are doing this for Mister Zelgadis, aren't you?"
Amelia, you're an idiot. That would mean Lina would have to actually care about someone other than herself, which we all know she doesn't. But I'll let her prove that to you...
"No, you numbskull! Its because I want it!"
Of course.
Then he shows up...
We are lost 'til we are found
The Phoenix rises up from the ground
And all these wars are over...
Wonderful, now Zel was mad at them.
Did we really have to argue over something as stupid where to eat?
Gourry sat at the table, waiting for their order. Correction, her order. He didn't care what he aye, so long as it was edible. But if that was the case, why didn't he just go with Zel and Amelia? Why did he stay with Lina if the food didn't matter?
Face it, one, you didn't want Lina to feel alone. Two, she had the money and you didn't want to sponge off Amelia or Zel. Three, you just didn't want to see Amelia and Zel together, even if they're just friends. The thought... the sight... ugh...
So now instead of having his stomach turn at having to watch the two together, he could sit and have it turn by not watching them...
I'm such an idiot. I don't want to see them together, and I don't want to leave them alone either. Make up your mind, Gourry.
Lina was rambling again. In truth, he felt sorry for her, though she was so into herself he doubted if she'd even know what the pity was for. She can chase everyone away if she wanted to. True, he found her traveling alone, but he could see behind her bravado. She didn't want to be alone, but she was so use to being on her own that she didn't know how to make friends either. He couldn't help but feel sorry for her.
But Zel was alone for a lot longer, and he was cursed. Even if he wanted to, he couldn't make friends. What makes them so different, really? And Lina has friends now. What about Zel? Does he have any? Does he consider us friends? Probably not after everything that happened...
Gourry hid a sigh as the food was placed on the table. He ate, but he didn't taste it. His mind was busy on the problem with Zel. He got a sinking feeling that he wouldn't find an answer anytime soon...
Love will lead us, alright
Love will lead us, she will lead us
Okay, now this was pushing it, even for Lina. And Amelia wasn't much better. How someone who screamed about justice could treat another person as badly as she did Zel was completely beyond him. He just didn't get it.
And I didn't stop it either. Then again, I was tossed in with him the third time. He looked so... I don't know, frustrated? Fed up? He had a right to. Couldn't even breath. Why do we put up with them? Hell, they give women a bad name, and I'm a guy!
The four were on their way to Seyruun. The whole dragon hunt turned out to be a bust because of how long it took to cook the darn thing. Of course, Lina hasn't shut up about it yet. Amelia has been trying to calm her down, for all the good it's doing her. And Zel...
Gourry didn't really know what Zel was thinking this time. Not that Zel wore his heart on his sleeve at any time. But he was unusually quiet. After that stint, he'd still be ranting or at least grumbling over being treated like an object. But this time... nothing.
Maybe he's so mad that he doesn't want to talk to us?
That though formed a lump in Gourry's throat that he couldn't swallow. To never hear the shaman's voice again. To never see that almost smile he gave on those all too rare occasions. It... hurt.
Zel, I'm sorry. Damn. You probably wouldn't even know what I'd be apologizing for, would you? Why do I keep doing this? Why don't I ever say what I feel? Or just stand up for you when I know it's wrong. Why do I keep my mouth shut?
Is it because of Lina?
Gourry had to consider this carefully. He knew he mainly went along with Lina more out of pity than anything else. But he hadn't realized how much he might be hurting Zel in the process.
Hells. I didn't... I was just helping her out... Zel... No wonder you think I'm a fool. It's because I am...
Crestfallen, Gourry walked a little behind the others, lost in his thoughts once more.
So how do I make this up to him? Can I make it up at all? I didn't mean to make him feel alone. he probably doesn't want to have anything to do with any of us and will leave as soon as he can. If it wasn't for this Claire Bible, he wouldn't be with us at all. I hope we don't find it anytime soon. Maybe then I can make this up to him...
Gourry didn't notice his teeth gnashing together as Xelloss struck up conversation with the melancholy chimera.
I can't stand that guy...
Can you hear the dolphin's cry?
See the road rise up to meet us
It's in the air we breathe tonight
Love will lead us, she will lead us